State Police traffic stops in Port Allen area yield three drug arrests

Photo provided by Louisiana State Police -- State Police seized 18 pounds of marijuana and $5,500 in cash in a traffic stop Monday in West Baton Rouge Parish.

Terence C. Jones

Jasmine N. Rhea

Carl Green

Photo provided by Louisiana State Police -- State police seized 27 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop Sunday in West Baton Rouge Parish.

A pair of traffic stops by State Police troopers late Sunday and early Monday in Port Allen yielded a few dozen pounds of drugs and three arrests.

The first stop occurred just before 7 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 10 near La. 415 and resulted in the seizure of 27 pounds of cocaine, said Sgt. Jared Sandifer, a State Police spokesman.

A 2008 Buick Enclave driven by Carl Green, 50, was stopped because of a traffic violation, Sandifer said.

During the stop, Niko, a police dog, “alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle,” Sandifer said, leading to the discovery of the cocaine in a hidden compartment in the vehicle.

The second stop occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. Monday on I-10 near La. 1, Sandifer said.

Terence C. Jones Jr., 34, was driving a 2015 Ford Fusion when he was pulled over for a traffic violation, Sandifer said.

Again, Niko “alerted” to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, Sandifer said, leading to the discovery of 18 pounds of marijuana and $5,500 cash.

Jones, of New Orleans, and his passenger, 19-year-old Jasmine N. Rhea, of Algiers, were booked into West Baton Rouge Parish Jail on one count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Jones also was booked on a count of improper lane usage, Sandifer said.

Green, of Yemassee, South Carolina, was booked into the jail on counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and improper lane usage.